The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-06
MEMPHIS APPEAL
TaF MTERsTA rE COMaIssIOE

THR InrERsTACE COMmIssIOH
Has come and gone. 1t took q great
mass OF testimony from shippers and
reighters and merchants Of all grades
doing business in Memphis and the
adjacent cities, some orally and some
printed, that 1t will take time TO sift
and compare in oider TO reach con-
clusion that shall be fair and just. The
petition offered by the merchants
OF this city was among the most i'm
portant papers presented, and will 20
ar to assisting the Commission to
reach a decision as to the much COM
planned OF long and short haul clause.
1t deals literally with the railroads
and states their case fairly. "The
charges OF the railway lines centeriug
here have been based on the
simple idea OF wholesale trade.
Influenced by the competition OF
the carriers by water, they were
compelled to carry freights to and
from Memphis at the lowest charge
they could afford, and unless these
charges, considering the advantage OF
time and insurance, were as low 20
those OF the water carriers, our freights
came and went by water. However,
we fully understood how q railwsy
carrying full train loads to or from our
market over long distances could afford
to charge lower rates than on thesmall
parcels gathered by frequent stops
rom many way stations; the same
rule that governs all Wholesale trade
applies, a. we understand 1t, with
equal force to railways, steamboats,,
and all common carriers" The trade OF
Memphis is nearly altogether whole
sale. From 900, 900 to 100000 bales Of
cotton are received and shipped
every year, and from 5000, 600 to
S24 100000 worth Of merchandise that
is sold wholesale. Bat the foundation
OF the trade OF the city is cotton, and
the continued bulk and increase Of
that trade depends upon the con-
tinued facilities in time, trains and
rates furnished by the railroads.
"This large amount OF cotton
is drawn here by advances OF money
to country merchants and planters
TO raise and gather the crop, and to
this, the largest inland market in the
world, buyers from Europe as we'll as
the Eastern mills, are attracted. The
large amount OF cotton sold and
shipped from here, according to every
known rule Of trade, entities shippers
TO the low rate OF ireights heretofore
obtained through the sharp compe-
tition OF river and rail. Since the
year 1850, when cotton worth lot cents
per pound, was charged "a 10 per bale
for carriage from Memphis to Bcs.
ton, increased quantities shipped with
competition have enabled the carriers
10 grant us on cotton now worth l0i
cents per pound rate OF 81 50per bale
to tho same destination, which makes
q difference saved to the producers Of
cotton sold In this market OF about
100000 per annum. II cotton should
be diverted from Memphis and
shipped from interior towns to the sea-
board cities and mills, the rates OF
reight would be more than the
amounts now paid to Memphis, and
from Memphis 10 the seaboard cities
and mills. In addition to this, the In
terror points could not possibly at
tract buyers from all parts OF the
world as Memphis now does, thereby
making q difference Of halt cent Il
one cent in price, which would b.
lost to the producer" For thes
easons, and they are convincing 3
far as Memphis is concerned, tn
merchants petitioned the Commits
sioners for the permanent suspensio
Of the long and short maui clause
"the statute, as to the several railwa
lines entering the city, and for gener
relief" Memphis has all the adva
taSes Of river and rail competition
the experiences, testimony and
requests OF Its merchants are ther
fore worthy OF special consideratio
and may be conclusive with the Col
mission in inducing suspension
the short and long haul clause un
Congress can modify it to meet t
general demands OF trade.